Charming Photos and Uplifting Writings

Archive for the ‘Vacation to the Beach!’ Category

With each sunrise I observe, it always gives me the peaceful reassurance that new opportunities are on the rise. There are times, I have had a new adventure that came knocking on the door, and other times, I have had to use my creative imagination to develop and unlock the door to optimistic opportunities. The key has been with me, never to give up on hope. To believe and absorb the wonder of the artistic splendor that is shown as a new day begins.

Each day brings on new challenges, new definitions to experiences, and new adventures to explore. I have my days when things seem scattered like an unfinished puzzle, and moments when a piece seems to be missing, but stepping back to appreciate the newness of a sunrise gives hope that I will creatively find that piece as the sun begins to glow and completes the picture I set out to dream.

Journey to Living

Opportunities develop out of storms,To cope, to struggle, makes new skills,Treasures gained, the trust of a friend,Faith, hope, and love are strengthened,A better me in the development.The storms of life may seem tough,Pressures to restore may seem scary,Feeling… too tired to make the climb,Faith, hope, and love are strengthened,A better me in the development.Experiences, confirmation to living,Some troublesome with a lesson,Some pleasant with a gift to treasure,Believing in the passion of dreams,A better me in the development.The heart has known hurt,The body has known failure,The mind has known forgetfulness,The soul has known loneliness,Yet, I develop into a better me.God’s touch has been soft,God’s reach has been comforting,God’s hand has been strong,God’s grace has been lifting,God develops me into a better me.Laughter has given strength,Crying has drained the weakness,Each day has been a journey,Each moment of reconstruction,Developing me into a better me.I absorb and map the circumstances,Calmly rejoice for who I am today.I will witness results of my creativity,Empowering me to move forward,Developing me into a better me.

Not today, I’m not going to think about summer is coming to an end. I want to reflect on the moments shared with others and the laughs that have lifted my spirits. Those warm days with a mild breeze, birds flying overhead and breathing in the freshness of grass cut. The summer joys of gathering around the tantalizing aroma of the grill while it cooked my favorite meal and the taste of homemade ice cream. Those strolls on the shore, after a day of play in the waves, feeling relaxed while waves softly wash my feet and there seemed to be magic in the air. The serene evening of sitting on the screened porch while crickets are keeping temp as they play. The travels and trips to see family and friends has been something to treasure from summer, also, the experiences have given me an optimistic hopefulness to writing and see things more creative.

So, I will not say “good-bye” to summer, but will welcome autumn and the joys of new experiences to be shared as I look forward to hikes, changing of the leaves, cozy-hoodie weather, bonfires, photographing color and whatever comes my way that can inspire and evolve creativity!

Sitting on the beach with my camera in my hand during a sunrise, it’s like meditation to me. The breeze is tranquil, the salt air that I breathe in is soothing, and the sounds of the waves as they wash upon the shore flow to the heart beat of my dreams. I am at peace as I focus the lens towards the rising sun, the shore birds running along the water and the crabs as they scurry across the sand. Sea gulls invite themselves to fly close and land in the sand near me. It’s a new day, a new beginning with endless possibilities like looking out to the sea and viewing the vastness of water.

Hope

I have read that each individual remains on a quest or has their particular place that encourages peacefulness. I truly wish that each will find that comfort. I don’t always have the opportunity to sit on the beach, but I can get away from the demands of daily living, by closing my eyes, if only for a moment, and retreat to what gives me clarity to my priorities.

I am not one that can say, “All my ducks are in a row,” or I have lived life with no “regrets.” I may have my moments of confusion and discouragements, but learning from where I have come and believing in where I am going, gives hope that something brilliant will come out of those times of disappointments.

When I am able to find peace of mind, then I am able to reflect on what needs improvement. Accepting the struggles with the blessings, gives me a feeling of balance, then I am able to focus on what matters. With each experience and walk in my journey, I have gained or improved on skills and talents. If life had been easy, organized, well-planned, then how would I have learned problem-solving, developing my creativity, or appreciating those moments of meditation.

I cannot speak for others, but having regrets motivates me to strive for my dreams today. I may have taken a path in the past that was confusing, discouraging, and disappointing at times, but there were blessings too that have continued to guide me to where my dreams are taking me. In my opinion, to be creative, want to create, and dream to create something to be shared, then one must have that one ingredient; “Hope” that always offers a guiding light through the storms. To a moment to say “Thank you,” while refueling in the safety of a harbor. Hope can provide the courage to set sail on that adventure into the unknown of the journey of life.

I appreciate the opportunity to take a vacation, get away, reconnect with family and friends, and relax without worries. I truly believe in many vacations throughout the year to clear the cobwebs out of the head. I have discovered on vacations that I can be perfectly happy with the basics of few clothes, walking, writing, taking pictures and laughter with family and friends. In today’s society, it is encouraged to work, work, and work, but stress can take its toll on the mind and body. Some are blessed to find a job they truly enjoy, and the feeling of productivity can be inspiring, but others are thankful for employment, and remain in constant search for something missing in their lives. That search for comfort, excitement, and acceptance. So, what if I could find a job near my favorite vacation spot, which would financially support, living in the area I enjoy? That’s an idea!

Well, everyday living does not always match the way we would dream, but I can put those dreams into writing and be the character I create. I can still make time to walk and pretend I’m walking near my favorite scene. I can remind myself when I am working and worrying over bills that can stress me; I am putting aside funds that will be used wisely for my next vacation and adventure.

It is those unique moments with family, friends, and favorite adventures that will add strength, courage, and the ability to dream that makes those typical, stressful, working days seem worth the effort.

Ocracoke Adventure

My last adventure took me to the Outer Banks of North Carolina, Ocracoke Island. I enjoyed the opportunity to enjoy the sun and beach. It’s a place to walk, bike ride, to fish and to socialize with locals and others vacationing from different parts beyond the island. I found interest to review the history of the island related to the state in which I live. Ocracoke Island is a barrier island about 16 miles long and can only be obtained by ferry. Blackbeard the Pirate made the island known as his hangout and hideaway. Blackbeard sailed from the Caribbean to the Virginia Capes robbing ships. In November 1718, Blackbeard the Pirate was said to have been captured near Ocracoke Island by Lieutenant Robert Maynard of the British Navy. The Governor of Virginia sent the Lt Maynard to command a sloop and find Blackbeard. It is said; he killed the pirate in a bloody duel, captured 15 crewmen and Blackbeard’s head was taken triumphantly to Hampton. Blackbeard’s death supposedly marked the end of a large-scale of piracy on the Atlantic Coast. So, when the island was established as a port around 1715 to promote trade and navigation around the coast, it became safer as a shipping port. Around the late 1700’s the Ocracoke Lighthouse was built and remains to be the oldest continuous lighthouse of North Carolina. In the 1800’s, Ocracoke Island became a vital shipping port.

Fort Ocracoke

There’s more to the history of Ocracoke Island than just the legends of pirates. The island has served as an asset during the Revolutionary War with its hazardous waters that prevented the British warships from guarding the inlet. There are evidences of a fort submerged in the Ocracoke inlet. There is also the British Cemetery of four British seamen of the armed trawler HMS Bedfordshire. The HMS Bedfordshire served, on loan to the US Navy from Great Britain to help protect our shores during the early part of World War II.

British Cemetery

I enjoy listening to locals share stories and legends passed down related to the wild ponies. The wild ponies that roam the island were supposedly brought over by Sir Walter Raleigh and left on the Roanoke Island at the same time of the mysterious colony that disappeared, also known as The Lost Colony.

Well, I guess I could go on and on, but I’ll bring my vacation to an end as I return to the daily responsibilities of home. I’m inspired, it’s time to create and have some more moments in my journey to treasure!

The days are passing with the heat rising and kids are looking forward to summer vacation. This time of year can open the doors to adventure. Planning escapes to the pool, beach, or even mountain lakes. It’s a time for family and friends to gather for cookouts, ball games, and park retreats. The summer months offer longer days with sunny weather, and even the evenings with fireflies, campfires and smores add to the enjoyment. It’s a time to photograph those vacation memories with everyone smiling and relaxing. Children jumping into the sprinkler, dogs hoarding the kid’s pool, making a splash into the swimming pool or riding a wave into the shore at the beach, these adventures make the summer heat seem refreshing.

It’s also a time when I will say, as I have aged, I am grateful for air conditioning. To remain cool indoors as creative ideas inspire me to write. When the opportunity is not near to experience that refreshing cool down with the splash of water fun, the coolness of the indoors has become essential to aiding to the summer enjoyment.

I can remember from the excitement of the last day of school and saying to friends and acquaintances, “See ya this fall,” I knew my bike was waiting, games would be played, and I had no fear of walking barefoot in the creek. I didn’t need a cell phone or computer. Even, after graduation, and knowing I had a summer job, the creative plans were there to find coolness with water fun either with family or friends. I laugh to myself, when I remember those summer jobs of working in the fields of tobacco, picking peppers and beans, and even mowing the grass and proud that my skin reflected with a tan and showed time spent in the sun. With those memories, the experiences of summer adventures, I truly do not remember much complaining of the summer heat. I am sure there were some complaints, but the creative things about memories; we can make the choice to remember what makes us smile. Maybe that is why so much has been written on, “Making the most of each moment,” so as the memories are formed this summer, this fall we will look back and laugh, knowing we experienced those adventures of coolness with summer fun.